Forearm guard

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for protecting a body part of a user having an inner layer and an outer layer secured thereto. The inner layer is positionable adjacent to the body part of the user, is air permeable, and has moisture wicking capability. The air permeability and moisture wicking capability of the inner layer allows air to circulate and pulls perspiration away from the body part to help keep the body part cool. The outer layer is positionable adjacent to the inner layer and is thermal insulating, fire resistant, and melt resistant. The thermal insulation, fire resistance, and melt resistance of the outer layer protect the body part from extreme temperatures and fire.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for protecting body parts of a user from extreme temperature conditions. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus for protecting the forearm of a user from heat and fire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a body part of a user. The apparatus has an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer is positionable adjacent to the body part of the user, has an inside surface and an outside surface, and is constructed of a material that is capable of transferring moisture from the inside surface to the outside surface. The outer layer is positionable adjacent to the outside surface of the inner layer and is constructed of a material that is thermal insulating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of the apparatus of the current invention as worn on a users forearm.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the current invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of the current invention taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus, indicated generally at 10, according to the current invention is shown as it is worn on a user's forearm to protect the forearm from heat and fire while keeping the forearm cool. This apparatus 10 is useful to chefs and other users whose arms may be exposed to heat sources or hot objects, such as ovens, and/or open flames, such as stoves or grills. However, it will be understood from the description below that the apparatus 10 could be adapted to cover the entire arm of a user or to be worn on other parts of a user's body to protect the particular body part from heat and fire while keeping the body part cool. In addition, the apparatus 10 could also be adapted to protect against extreme cold temperatures instead of or in addition to providing protection against heat and fire.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 10 is generally cylindrical and generally conforms to the forearm of the user. The generally cylindrical shape allows the apparatus to be easily put on and removed from the forearm and the conformity keeps the apparatus 10 in place on the forearm and prevents the apparatus 10 from interfering with the movement of the user. The apparatus 10 covers the entire forearm of the user and has a length L (FIG. 2) that is approximately the distance from the user's wrist to elbow.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 10 includes an outer layer 20 and an inner layer 30, which is secured to the outer layer 20. As is described in more detail below, the inner layer 30 is positioned adjacent to and contacts the forearm and helps keep the forearm cool. The outer layer 20 is positioned outside the inner layer 30, does not generally contact the forearm, and provides heat and fire protection while the inner layer 30 helps keep the user's forearm cool.

The outer layer 20 is made of a thermal insulating material that preferably is also fire resistant. The material of the outer layer 20 should also have good textile properties such that it can easily be manufactured into various wearing apparel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the material of the outer layer 20 is a material called Nomex®, specifically Type 450 Nomex® or Type 455 Nomex® (also known as Nomex® III), which is manufactured by DuPont. The Nomex® material is inherently thermal and flame resistant, does not melt, carbonizes and forms a tough char at temperatures above approximately 800° F. (427° C.), does not ignite or burn in air, and has low stiffness and high elongation, which gives it good textile properties. Type 450 Nomex® and Type 455 Nomex® have a specific heat of approximately 0.26 to 0.30 cal/gm° C. and are therefore excellent thermal insulators. In addition, Type 450 Nomex® and Type 455 Nomex® are fire resistant in that they have a limiting oxygen index of 28, which means that when Type 450 Nomex® or Type 455 Nomex® are exposed to flame at room temperature in a normal air environment, they will not continue to burn when the flame is removed.

Alternatively, the material of the outer layer 20 could also be made of other materials that are not inherently thermal and flame resistant, but that could be made thermal and/or flame resistant by treatment with a flame-retardant chemical.

The inner layer 30 is made of a material that is has moisture wicking capability and that preferably is also air permeable. As used herein, moisture wicking capability means having the ability to transfer fluid, such as perspiration, away from one surface of the material towards the other surface of the material. The air permeability and moisture wicking capability of the inner layer 30 reduce the skin temperature of the forearm and help to keep the forearm cool. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the material of the inner layer 30 is a material called CoolMax®, which is manufactured by Invista. The CoolMax® material is made of Dacron® fibers, which are polyester fibers with unique engineered microchannel cross sections. It is air permeable, moves sweat away from the user to the outer layer of the material where it can dry faster and keep the user cool, and is also soft and lightweight which makes it a good textile material.

The inner layer 30 preferably conforms to the forearm and extends the entire length of the forearm. It is elastomeric and has an inside surface 32 that is in contact with the forearm of the user and an outside surface 34 opposite the inside surface 32. This allows the inner layer 30 to absorb perspiration from the forearm at the inside surface 32 and transfer the perspiration to the outside surface 34, where it can be more easily evaporated. The outer layer 20 also extends the entire length of the forearm, is adjacent to and preferably in contact with the outside surface 34 of the inner layer 30 such that it conforms to the outside surface 34 of the inner layer 30.

The apparatus 10 is formed by securing the inner layer 30 to the outer layer 20 by aligning the inner and outer layers 30, 20 and stitching them together using a thread made of a temperature and flame resistant material such as the Nomex® material described above. Alternatively, the inner and outer layers 30, 20 can be secured by laminating the layers together, gluing the layers together, rivets, hook and loop fasters such as Velcro®, or in any other well known manner. Preferably, when the inner and outer layers 30, 20 are aligned, the ends of the outer layer 20 will overhang the ends of the inner layer 30 such that the ends of the outer layer 20 can be folded over such that they contact the inside surface 32 of the inner layer 30. The layers are then stitched together such that no portion of the inner layer is exposed at the ends of the apparatus 10. This ensures that the inner layer is not exposed to the extreme temperature or flame and that there is temperature and fire resistance along the entire length of the device

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. The descriptions were selected to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable other skills in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. 

1. An apparatus for protecting a body part of a user, comprising: an inner layer positionable adjacent to the body part of the user and having an inside surface and an outside surface opposite the inside surface, the inner layer being constructed of a material capable of transferring moisture from the inside surface to the outside surface; and an outer layer positionable adjacent to the outside surface of the inner layer, the outer layer being constructed of a material that is thermal insulating.
 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the material of the outer layer has a specific heat of approximately 0.26 to 0.30 cal/gm° C.
 3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the material of the outer layer is fire resistant.
 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the material of the outer layer has a limiting oxygen index of approximately
 28. 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the material of the outer layer is melt resistant.
 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer layer generally conforms to the outside surface of the inner layer.
 7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the material of the inner layer is air permeable.
 8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner layer generally conforms to the body part of the user.
 9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the material of the inner layer is elastomeric.
 10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the inside surface of the inner layer contacts the body part of the user.
 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the body part is a forearm.
 12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the apparatus covers the entire the forearm.
 13. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer layer is secured to the inner layer.
 14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the outer layer is secured to the inner layer by stitching the outer layer to the inner layer.
 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the outer layer is stitched to the inner layer with a thread that is thermal insulating, is fire resistant, and is melt resistant.
 16. A method of protecting a body part of a user, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus having an inner layer, the inner layer having an inside surface and an outside surface opposite the inside surface and being constructed of a material capable of transferring moisture from the inside surface to the outside surface, and an outer layer, the outer layer being constructed of a material that is thermal insulating; positioning the inner layer adjacent to the body part of the user; and positioning the outer layer adjacent to the outside surface of the inner layer.
 17. A method as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of securing the outer layer to the inner layer.
 18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein the outer layer is secured to the inner layer by stitching the outer layer to the inner layer.
 19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the outer layer is stitched to the inner layer with a thread that is thermal insulating, is fire resistant, and is melt resistant. 